Neurophysiology: Neurons and Circuits

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

None

None

This subject assumes a working understanding of the principles involved in the generation and conduction of action potentials in excitable cells.

Students wishing to take this subject without this background knowledge are advised to consult with the subject convenor prior to the commencement of the semester.

Although there are no specific 200 level prerequisites for this subject it is recommended that students should have completed at least one of the following 200 level subjects:

None

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The subject aims to provide students with an overview of how neurons function, individually and in ensembles, to produce complex behaviours. We consider how the special properties of nerve cells enable information to be encoded and transmitted.

We will explore how nerve cells communicate with other nerves and cells. Finally we will explore how these properties lead to activity patterns that change the function of other tissues in response to physiological challenges, thus contributing to homeostasis.

• To appreciate how protein-mediated passage of ions across the nerve cell membrane generates electrical activity.
• To develop an understanding of how these electrical impulses are generated and integrated by the neuron to encode information.
• To understand how nerve cells use different chemicals to communicate with neurons and other cells (e.g. muscles).
• To examine how the connections between nerve cells leads to simple circuits that mediate reflexes and homeostatic control.

• 2 x mid-semester assessments (25% each)
• 1 x two hour end of semester exam (50%)

Purves etc al., Neuroscience, 5 th edition, 2012: Sinauer Associates

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion the students should have developed their skills in:

• Independent and critical thought.
• Approaches to understanding complex scientific problems.
• Critical analysis and interpretation of data.
• The extraction of principles from experimental evidence.
• Discipline specific communication.

This subject is available to students enrolled in the New Generation BSc, BBioMed, pre-2008 BSc or BBiomedSc.